Erling Haaland PINCHES his opponent in an attempt to put them off during games, reveals Ben Mee
Erling Haaland Squeezes his opponent in an attempt to scare them off during matches, Ben Mee reveals as he exposes some of the Man City striker’s dark arts – but the Brentford defender insists he ‘really likes’ that about the Norwegian
- Ben Mee has shared what it’s like to face Man City star Erling Haaland
- Brentford defeated City in November by beating them 2-1 at the Etihad
- And Mee claims that Haaland has a ruse up his sleeve to scare off defenders
Brentford defender Ben Mee has revealed an unusual tactic used by Erling Haaland, where he ‘squeezes’ opposition defenders to beat them.
The Man City striker has already equaled the record for Premier League goals with 32 in just 28 appearances, and the Cityzens are firmly in title contention as the season approaches its closing stages.
While many have attributed his success to speed, strength and goal-scoring instinct, Mee hasn’t attributed it to anything more insidious.
“He’s a powerful lad and we’ve had a bit of jostling,” the Brentford defender said on Sky Sports, “there were some little sticking points here and there between me and him.”
When asked by Jamie Carragher if Haaland or Mee did more squeezing, the defender replied: ‘More of him to be honest. But I don’t mind, I quite like that.’
Erling Haaland recently tied the record for most Premier League goals in a 38-game season after just 28 appearances
Ben Mee has revealed a left field tactic used by the Norwegian striker, but it had little effect in Brentford’s 2-1 win at the Etihad in November
“Obviously we’re trying to handle him physically and use our bodies in and around the box to keep him from getting into positions he wants.”
The unconventional ploy failed to make much of an impact when the Norwegian took on Mee’s Brentford in November, when he went goalless in a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad to record a first-half goal.
Haaland may have another chance against the defender, who began his career at City, when the two sides meet in West London on the final day of the season.
Arsenal’s recent blunders have left Guardiola’s men just four points behind them in the league with a game in hand, while also looking good in the Champions League with a 3-0 lead over Bayern Munich in their quarter-final . and made it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
City still have to face the leaders next week in a match that Guardiola believes would determine the title race.
“It’s a final to play more finals because if you lose this game it’s almost over,” he said. “Hopefully we can arrive with the chance to be there.
The 33-year-old centre-back, who began his career at City, claims the striker ‘squeezes’ opposing defenders to scare them off
City are now just four points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand and could win the treble
“It’s winning, winning and winning. [Arsenal] have done an incredible run and I don’t think they will drop many points, so it’s important to be there.’
City will play in the second leg of their Champions League game with Bayern on Wednesday.
Brentford’s hopes of a European spot are dashed after a five-game winless run, but Thomas Frank’s side remain ninth after a solid season in the overall standings.
They then come into action against Aston Villa on Saturday.